The continued sustainable availability of groundwater in Nolan County is essential.
By the year 2050, the population of Texas is expected to reach 39.6 million people, doubling the current population. Without creating new sources of water, current Texas water sources cannot supply the needs of municipal, manufacturing, electric power generation, and agricultural and rural users.
With the increasing use of groundwater in the future, primarily by municipalities, it is imperative that aquifer water quality and sustainable availability be monitored, conserved, and protected. Since 1949, when the Texas Legislature provided for the voluntary creation of water districts, there have been approximately 83 districts formed. Some water districts include several counties; however, Nolan County petitioned the Texas Legislature to form its own district. The 77th Texas Legislature passed House Bill 3659, allowing for the creation of the Wes-Tex Groundwater Conservation District (GCD), which is to consist entirely of Nolan County. Voters confirmed the District formation in November 2002. At that time, the current interim board was also elected.
The board of directors is an elected board consisting of one at-large director elected by the voters of the entire county and two directors elected from each county commissioner precinct by the voters of that precinct. Of the two directors elected from each precinct, one must reside inside an incorporated area and one must reside outside an incorporated area.
The Wes-Tex GCD Board of Directors has worked hard since 2002 to formulate and adopt rules that will protect the aquifer without causing undue restrictions on any user group. By working together, all the citizens of Nolan County can ensure the availability of groundwater for future generations.